Is this 77 Strat a good deal

[Tylerlayne]

https://huntsville.craigslist.org/msg/d/athens-1977-usa-american-fender/7590790282.html My next guitar I want to be a vintage Strat. Was looking at this one but not sure if its a good deal or not @ $2000. I read that 77 was in the CBS era and is a year to avoid.

 

[mad axe man]

i would keep looking

 

[Tylerlayne]

i would keep looking

Thanks

 

[Messhead]

After a quick scroll, it appears to be cheaper than anything from the 70s on the Verb right now. With regard to the price alone, it seems fair. As to the guitar, I'll let those with more experience chime in. I've never had a 70s model.

 

[Cerb]

My 1977 Stratocaster is the best guitar I’ve ever played. It suffers from none of the ailments normally attributed to CBS Fenders. $2000 is a good price, but the pickups are not original.

 

[gwilde]

Those can be good guitars, 2000 bux puts in a price bracket with guitars that easily outclass it though, imo of course. If you're really wanting a 70s Strat though, it's not bad, and he says OBO, meaning he'll probably haggle.

 

[BamaStrat]

I would go play it and then try to negotiate down a little if you like it. It's very similar to my first guitar minus the white pickguard. I used to live in Decatur across the river from Athens..... go for it.

 

[WEHJR68]

I currently have and have had 77 Natural Hardtails and I love them. Mine were both "good ones" and had none of the CBS problems. This one does have some cool "matched" grain to it which I love. If you REALLY want it I'd offer him no more than $1800, see what he says.

 

[gwilde]

I currently have and have had 77 Natural Hardtails and I love them. Mine were both "good ones" and had none of the CBS problems. This one does have some cool "matched" grain to it which I love. If you REALLY want it I'd offer him no more than $1800, see what he says.

I was thinking 1800.00 myself, a comfortable number
Not impossible to restore that one either, the shielding paint is hidden and a set of pickups, while you'll have to wait for them to pop up, probably one at a time, shouldn't be too expensive.

 

[Tylerlayne]

I will not be able to play it first before I buy it. The guitar is in Huntsville, Alabama and I am in St Augustine, Florida. That whats holding me back

 

[D7alt]

There are a lot of holes around the springs'cavity. The way the saddles are slanted suggest there may be non-original, ill-fitting parts.
The pickups may also not be the original pickups.
To me personally, too high a price for the overall state of that 77 strat.

 

[StratUp]

I would not let the "CBS Strat" thing get in the way.

But some vintage guitars are a dream. And some are duds. I don't think I'd buy one long distance unless there was a clear return policy from a vendor.

 

[FuncleManson]

I've got a '76 Strat that I love, but that's just because I've had it for almost 40 years and it was the first "good" (non-department store) electric I ever owned. So, lots of sentimental value, but from an purely objective standpoint, there's really nothing about it that makes it a great guitar (although it's better since I rehabbed it last year with stainless frets, a bone nut and new pots).

Looking at the listing you posted, I think the frets will need to be addressed--if not now, before long. As currently set up, the action looks pretty high. Also, there's no weight listed and, although mine's not, '70s Strats can sometimes be heavy, if that's a concern to you.

Personally, I'd say pass. I'm not sure what your definition of "vintage" is (I think some consider early '90s vintage now ), but I'd expect there are better options.

 

[ido1957]

Personal opinion - keep looking. And I'm definitely getting old. Vintage is 25 years or more by definition, but my Vintage runs back to the 50's and 60's

 

[WEHJR68]

Personal opinion - keep looking. And I'm definitely getting old. Vintage is 25 years or more by definition, but my Vintage runs back to the 50's and 60's

Funny you mentioned that. I had a guy (kid) tell me the other day he bought a vintage Strat. It was an 87. LOLZ!